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. 2003 Aug;95(8):746–749.

Non-association between acrochordons and colonic polyps in a minority population.

Abbasi J Akhtar 1, Jiaying Zhuo 1
PMCID: PMC2594586  PMID: 12934875

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine usefulness of skin tags as a predictor of colonic polyps, in patients of a minority population. SETTING: Inner-city community hospital serving predominantly African Americans and Hispanics. METHODS: Evaluation of 480 consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy. The presence or absence of skin tags was noted, and their correlation with the colonic polyps determined. RESULTS: Colonic polyps were detected in 92 patients (19%). None of these patients had skin tags, whereas skin tags were found in 87 patients (18%), and none of them had colonic polyps. CONCLUSION: The mere presence of acrochordons (skin tags) should not be used as an indication for screening colonoscopy especially in African Americans and Hispanics.

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Selected References

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